The Election Integrity and Voter Protection Act seeks to bolster the security and integrity of elections in New Jersey by imposing restrictions on the presence of active duty military personnel and law enforcement officers near polling places and ballot drop boxes. The bill clarifies that election boards cannot request assistance from these personnel to maintain order at polling locations, except in specific emergencies. It prohibits law enforcement officers and active duty military members from serving as election challengers or board members while in uniform or armed, and establishes a 100-foot exclusion zone around polling places for these individuals, with exceptions for responding to disturbances or assisting voters.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces new guidelines for the placement and security of ballot drop boxes, requiring consideration of factors such as population density and accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The Attorney General is empowered to seek injunctive relief for violations of the bill's provisions, and county clerks are mandated to inform voters about ballot drop box locations, ensuring these are adequately publicized prior to elections. Overall, the bill emphasizes maintaining voter access and safety while preventing any law enforcement presence from interfering with the voting process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:6-15.1, 19:63-16.1